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Has My Neighborhood Shaped Me?

As humans, I believe we are past racial segregation. However, a new has risen, and it is the idea of neighborhood separation. The neighborhood I live in does not ultimately define who I am. I agree it does have a small aspect on the measure of peace a family can have and the schools can attend; nonetheless, some individuals choose to have a higher quality of life experiences and prefer not spending their hours toiling extremely hard to purchase a home in an incredibly decent neighborhood. Additionally, some individuals are birthed into families that are less fortunate and live in regions that are not the most extravagant; however, they never allow that to define who they are. I believe if one works hard and is willing to apply the effort, they can thrive despite their neighborhoods’ status, as long as adequate resources are provided.

An article composed by Michael Gonchar’s states that many working-class and low-income families are gravitating towards suburbia reasons which appear to promise better schools, less violence, and job opening. I think Gonchar’s article fails to define what suburbia is. In his article, Michael made it seem that the suburb is where the fortunate reside; however, a suburb is a mixed or residential area existing either as a constituent of an urban area, city, or different residential community within a city’s commuting distance. This article is in a way saying that individuals inhabiting suburban houses are better off in life. I suppose I am in no way defined by the area I stay in. As long as I have the essentials in life, I will be defined by the individuals around me along with how I carry myself.

To support my point further, some people splurge carelessly on experiences and not on mortgages for homes in ‘decent’ neighborhoods. I would personally opt to live in a smaller home, in a neighborhood classified as less than ideal and still be capable of exploring the world. I believe that these are the experiences that define you as an individual; the time sacrificed to tour the planet, seeing civilization from different prospects, soaking in new cultures and experiencing other countries’ way of life.

“Bad neighborhoods will visit you if you do not visit them,” Thomas Friedman once stated. This quote simply states that bad neighborhoods merely consist of bad people; this is untrue. Michael Oher, who played for the Baltimore Ravens, was birthed and raised in the ghetto, with no father and a mother who habitually consumed drugs. Each day, Michael was surrounded by gang members, drugs, and violence. Despite these, Michael allowed not his neighborhood define who he is. He broke out, started playing football, and transformed his life (he made himself a name). Is the phrase “from rags to riches” familiar to you? Millionaire movie and play producer, Tyler Perry began with nothing. He initially was homeless and slept in cars and under street benches. Even though Tyler Perry did not necessarily live in a neighborhood, Perry refused to have those above define him. Like I stated earlier, now he is a millionaire.

Other than becoming rich, some individuals only thought “I discern what I want to become, and I will labor tirelessly to get there.” Another example is myself; I lived in a neighborhood known as ‘Wheeler Holmes’ where nothing good ever happened. It was either one was in a gang, constructing chaos, or getting drunk. Currently, I am an academic achiever working on my goals. I choose not to be like the others in my neighborhood. I desire to become somebody. I made a choice.

Some people argue that when you are part of a gang and you continually have to represent your neighborhood and if you’ve been deprived since birth, you have no option. I disagree; you have an option not to join the gang. You can make a resolution and dedicate yourself wholly to achieve it. Like Michael made a choice to evade the gang and Tyler Perry to not settle for poverty, you can decide as well. It sums up to you, as an individual, is what you yearn to be. Only you can define yourself.

Ultimately, the neighborhood I reside in does not and will never characterize who I am. I believe I am defined by the individuals around me and the way I carry myself along with the experiences all through my life. For instance, I am shaped by my mother who has inspired me to exceed and transcend my current circumstances. She constantly coaxes me to perform in school, and she helped me get mentally ready for school. Through her, I realized that with perseverance and commitment, anything is accomplishable. I initially believed that my neighborhood would affect the person I am, I was mistaken. Because of a wise woman’s guidance, I define my future. Despite my neighborhood’s norms, I still remain me. I strongly disagree that one’s neighborhood defines them.

What Is Something That You Believe In Strongly?

People get to encounter different experiences on a daily basis. Some are thrilled and excited about them whereas others are hurt or have regrets of being in a particular place when certain occurrences take place. While some people learn from these experiences, others are disappointed with life. Some easily give up and presume that there is no reason for them to continue living. However, as the adage goes, ‘what does not kill you makes you stronger,’ one ought to pick themselves up and turn their disappointments into positions of strength. Sometimes, you do not choose to be in a particular place when something happens hence this should not disappoint you but rather strengthen you. Mistakes are bound to happen, and sometimes, some are inevitable. However, we should not let them wear us down but instead, learn from them and use them to make us progress or better ourselves.

Everyone has something which they hold dear to them, and they strongly believe that they can try their best to have a positive outcome of it. As for me, what I hold dear to me is my life. I strongly believe that I can change the kind of life am leading to a life full of hope and a prosperous future. Believing in myself helps me understand what I am capable of as well what my weak points are. Additionally, this helps me learn and understand how I can turn my weaknesses into my strengths. For example, when I find essay writing as a challenging task, I do not ignore or brush aside the challenge but seek to become better at it. This is also a similar case of when a baby is trying to walk. They fall many times, and this does not deter them from making further attempts. They eventually come to walk on their own because of their perseverance. Using my weakness to strengthen myself acts as a step towards achieving my goals since they help me move forward rather than lag behind feeling remorseful and disappointed with life.

Secondly, being persistent and determined helps me maintain focus. This is because I try my best to ensure that all the attempts I have made in trying to accomplish something are fruitful and that they do not go to waste. For instance, whenever I do not grasp something in class, I often ask the lecturer to clarify the statement much further so that I can be able to fully comprehend and understand what was trying to be conveyed. Moreover, I even spare some time and consult them whenever I am unable to understand something taught in class or from my studying. This helps me understand things much better as well as focus on improving my grades.

Thirdly, I look up to inspirational messages from different prosperous and successful individuals. Having something that drives you to work hard paves the way for you to aim at achieving your goals and making your dreams a reality. Such messages help you pick yourself up whenever you feel miserable and despondent and hence enable you to have an optimistic perception of life. For instance, there are moments when things seem not to work for me when trying to make a difference such as trying to find a means to help my parents with my fees and many times, doors close in front of my face. On most occasions, I get disappointed if I am not able to find money-making schemes. However, I choose not to be miserable and opt to look for other methods which may not be paying well but keep me from idleness.

Fourthly, to make a difference in the kind of life I lead, I always look up to my role model. I keep tabs on his accomplishments and this gifts me the notion that I too can make a difference in my life. My role model is Elon Musk, and I often read his books to understand how he was able to accomplish an achievement after another. This helps me learn to pick myself up in meeting my objectives if something goes awry. Additionally, looking up to my role model helps me challenge his personalities in accomplishing my life goals as well as making my dreams a reality to better myself.

In conclusion, everyone has something that they strongly believe in. I strongly believe in myself, and this helps me understand my capabilities as well as my difficulties. This has also helped me learn to be optimistic and think positively. Life is encumbered with many challenges and hardships which we ought to endure if we want to make it in life. Success does not come to someone when they sit down and fold their hands. Everything comes to you when you work hard but you have to practice to not let your disappointments hinder you but rather strengthen you.